Years ago when hurricanes battered coastal communities, (like Betsy & Camille) you read about them in the newspapers and maybe saw some grainy video several days later. No more with the internet & video streaming. We’re seeing all the suffering in real time. There is no buffer to shield our senses. The emotion of human suffering jumps right out to you. It’s hard not to watch, but I must tell you, I know when to turn away. With every network competing for viewers, showing over and over terrible tragedy, I start to feel depressed. First Harvey, now Irma. It’s challenging to not feel sad. Irma’s power is staggering and I’m sure we will learn of many dead as it hit several islands head on. I won’t go over NHC’s latest track as it really hasn’t changed since this morning. Florida still is the main impact area along with Georgia & the Carolinas. Will she make the turn sooner to spare Florida from the worse winds? Maybe, as she could turn sooner with the main impacts staying offshore. But it’s too close to call. I remember Dr. Neil Frank(Retired Director of NHC) once tell the audience at the National Hurricane Conference…”If you live along the coast, for every 5 storms that require you to evacuate, 4 will be for nothing as the storm will veer at the last minute”. Who wants to gamble with their life or the life of their family? That’s why government officials error on the side of caution. For those of you with family & friends in Florida, remember it’s only the coastal residents that need to evacuate. Florida has some elevation where the storm surge can’t reach. IF the NHC track (right over Miami & up along the east coast) proves correct, then the brunt of the storm will stay mainly offshore. With the track parallel to the coast, the storm surge will be much less. The greater surge threat will be farther north along the Georgia & Carolina coasts. With modern media, this storm will not surprise anyone. Everyone in its path will have plenty of time to seek shelter. We can only hope Irma makes the turn sooner staying just offshore keeping the worst out to sea for the U.S. The Bahamas may bear the brunt of the storm. Stay tuned!
We have 2 other new Hurricanes, Jose way out in the Atlantic and Katia way down in the Gulf. Neither will affect the U.S. Focus on Irma. The well-advertised cold front has pushed offshore and we’ll enjoy some delightful early Fall weather here this weekend.
2 comments:
I don't think I ever seen a hurricane that big do a big break to the north like they predicting remember Katrina they said it would it the Florida pan handle and then hours later path changes drastically do you really think this is the path its going to take ??
I know one thing.,.... WE ALL NEED TO THANK GOD FOR THIS EARLY SEASON COOL FRONT THAT JUST CAME THRU LAST NIGHT.... IF IT WERE NOT FOR THIS UNUSUAL COOL FRONT THIS EARLY, IRMA JUST MIGHT HAVE COME OUR WAY.... Dear God, that is the *LAST THING* we need here.... Katrina may have been 12 yrs ago, but I remember her every day I step out my front yard, as I have a stump from a pine tree she put thru the roof of my house... I was starting to have some Katrina flash backs watching the satelite views of Irma.... She looks EERILY JUST LIKE KATRINA'S SATELITE VIEWS....
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